Main Cast: Debbie Reynolds, Bobby Van, Barbara Ruick, Bob Fosse, Hanley Stafford, Hans Conried
Release Year: 1953
Country: US
Run Time: 74 minutes
Plot
Though the film may be titled The Affairs of Dobie Gillis, Dobie -- that is, Bobby Van -- takes second billing to Debbie Reynolds. The scene is a Midwestern university, where freshman Dobie Gillis and his pal Charlie Trask (Bob Fosse) court cute coeds Pansy Hammer (Debbie Reynolds) and Lorna Ellingboe (Barbara Ruick). Pansy's wealthy father (Hanley Stafford) can't stand Dobie and does everything in his power to keep them apart. Along the way, Dobie and Pansy manage to blow up the chemistry lab, while Dobie's officious English professor Pomfritt (Hans Conried) is misled to believe that the feckless Gillis is a literary genius. With Bobby Van, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Fosse, and Barbara Ruick in the cast, The Affairs of Dobie Gillis simply has to have a few musical numbers in its repertoire -- and it does. The film was based on the novel by Max Shulman, which subsequently served as the basis for the popular TV series of the late '50s-early '60s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
It may need a complete rewrite to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since September 2009.
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (aka Casanova Junior)[1] is a black and white 1953 comedy musical film. The tagline is: "IT'S M-G-M's LOVE-HAPPY, YOUTHFUL MUSICAL!".[2]
Songs
"You Can't Do Wrong Doin' Right"
(uncredited)
Written by Al Rinker and Floyd Huddleston
Performed by Barbara Ruick, Bob Fosse, Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van
"I'm Thru with Love"
(uncredited)
Music by Matty Malneck and Fud Livingston
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Performed by Bobby Van
"All I Do Is Dream of You"
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Arthur Freed
Performed by Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van
Played during the opening credits and often throughout the picture
"Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms"
(uncredited)
Traditional German folk song with lyrics by Thomas Moore
Performed by Debbie Reynolds and Barbara Ruick
"Red River Valley"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played by the band during the square dance
